In Case you Were Wondering...

Does my child need to already speak Spanish or Mandarin in order to be successful at The Lotus Academy?

No, absolutely not! Students entering grades 4K through 2nd Grade do not need any prior language training in Mandarin Chinese or Spanish in order to be successful in our program. In future years, new students applying to enter 3rd Grade or higher will likely need to take a written or verbal Mandarin or Spanish skills test in order to gain admission.

I don't speak Mandarin or Spanish. How will I help my child at home?

Your child will receive all his/her needed foreign language education inside normal school hours. In 4K through 5th Grade we do not give homework except in very special cases. In Grades 6-8 students may occasionally have some light reading/writing assignments to bring home, but no assistance from parents will be required. We do, however, always encourage our parents to interact with and read to their children outside of school in English.

How long will it take my child to become fluent?

Assuming no prior foreign language experience, most students who pursue the Spanish curriculum will be speaking fluently in 2 years. Students who pursue Mandarin generally take a bit longer, but most are speaking fluently in 2-3 years. Full written fluency in either language can take an additional 2-3 years. Beyond this point the students continue to grow their vocabularies, conversational and writing skills, and will become virtually indistinguishable from native speakers of the same age after 5-6 years in our program.

Will my child's English skills or other academic subjects be negatively affected by the addition of foreign language immersion?

No, in fact the opposite is true! Research and actual testing from similar immersion programs across the US have shown that students in foreign language immersion programs actually perform better on English skills tests versus those in traditional schools, and the early cognitive development spurred by mastering the complexities of speaking two or more languages aids in the ability to more quickly grasp new concepts in other non-language subject areas such as math, science, and even music and arts.

What curriculum will be used, and how will my child benefit from it?

The Lotus Academy is not using a new or custom designed curriculum. Instead, we have chosen to utilize existing curriculum, teaching methods, and learning materials which have been thoroughly tested and currently in use by some of the most successful and longstanding foreign language immersion schools in the US. These programs have consistently tested above competing schools, and graduated students with higher test scores and college admission rates compared with their non-bilingual peers.

Do you provide lunch?

Yes. The school will provide healthy organically-focused lunches and snacks as part of an optional lunch program, as well as water whenever requested. Of course, students will be free to bring their own lunches and/or snacks if they so choose. We do not permit sweetened beverages (sodas, energy drinks, etc), candy, gum, or other sweets/dessert foods on school grounds, nor do we serve such as part of our food offerings. Fruit drinks that contain 100% fruit juice are permitted, however.

What's your student/teacher ratio?

The Lotus Academy believes that smaller class sizes create a better learning environment, and we strive to maintain an average ratio of twelve students per teacher (12:1 ratio).

Has the school site been selected yet? Where will the school be located?

Our team is currently in the process of identifying and assessing several potential sites for the school. However, at this point we can share the target area with you. The RED box below shows the general area of town in which we're assessing potential sites, and we expect this location will serve students living within the larger area shown by the GREEN box. Note that the below are approximations only, and the Lotus Academy will accept students living in any/all parts of Duval County, providing they can regularly attend classes.

My child has special health concerns. Is there a nurse or medical provider on-site?

Yes. The Lotus Academy maintains a Registered Nurse on-site during normal school hours, who is capable of administering CPR and first-aid, as well as assessing and referring more serious medical issues as needed. If your child requires prescribed medications, our Nurse can administer those (per physician instructions), as well as provide over-the-counter medications as requested by the student's parent/guardian.

What other courses of study are available?

Mandarin Chinese and Spanish are the main language options taught at The Lotus Academy, along with a complete and well-rounded traditional K-8 curriculum. However, we do plan to offer students after-school and summer programs, which may include extracurricular subjects such as guitar, piano, martial arts, and engineering. We may also offer students additional instruction in Mandarin Chinese and/or Spanish, as well as other languages based on demand for such.